Electricity solutions seem stuck in politics

Erin Neff

Thursday, April 12, 2001 | 11:13 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Political parties, lobbyists, utilities and the governor each want to take charge of the growing energy crisis and create a solution before summer heat blacks out power in Las Vegas.

But as the Legislature ebbs closer to reapportionment, energy issues have become bogged in the political morass prevalent closer to the end of a session.

On Wednesday a move by a top Senate Republican led the Assembly majority leader to issue more angry rhetoric even as Gov. Kenny Guinn held a press conference trying to keep politics out of the fray.

Guinn said Sierra Pacific Resources -- the holding company for Sierra Pacific and Nevada Power -- is about 30 days from bankruptcy if it cannot borrow money or pass along rate increases through deferred billing.

"I'm still concerned about (the Legislature) acting quickly," Guinn said. "The company has got to have the ability to raise the rates."

The Senate was scheduled Wednesday to amend Assembly Bill 369 -- Barbara Buckley's measure that places a moratorium on the sale of power plants and keeps deregulation on hold -- with a 55-page add-on created by leading lobbyists at Guinn's request.

But Sen. Randolph Townsend, R-Reno, reportedly had trouble gaining support for the amendment, with all Senate Democrats and even some in his party vowing to vote against it.

Townsend, chairman of the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee, asked that the bill be placed on the secretary's desk -- limbo for bills so that language can be changed or support mustered for or against a measure.

The delay was sought, he said, because the Public Utilities Commission issued a draft order that morning limiting Sierra Pacific Resources' ability to sell its power plants.

"It directly impacts language in the amendment," Townsend told the Senate.

The Assembly bill prohibits the sale of the plants and stops deregulation. The amendment, in part, institutes deferred energy billing and allows some deregulation by letting some bigger power users get off the grid and generate their own power.

After the floor session Townsend said he expected legal counsel to review the PUC order within 24 hours and report back to him about whether it has an impact on the amendment.

"I just got this," Townsend said before quickly heading into the Senate Majority Office. "We have to take a look at it."

But Buckley saw the move as more political gamesmanship with "no legal reason" to delay the vote.

"For weeks we knew the PUC was going to say something about this," Buckley said. "(It) didn't even enact a clear-cut ban on the sale of the plants.

"The PUC's actions do not affect anything we're doing here," she added.

Just prior to the floor sessions of both houses, Buckley and Townsend were to tape with political columnist Jon Ralston "Face to Face With Jon Ralston" scheduled to air today.

But Townsend called at the last minute saying he wouldn't appear on the program with Buckley because she "disrespects him."

"I respect everyone here," Buckley said. "I have disagreements about politics, but I don't disrespect people."

Guinn said the PUC decision makes it less critical for legislators to act to halt the sale of the plants. However, he reiterated that deferred energy must be enacted quickly.

"I don't think this should be a political issue at all," Guinn said. "Time is of the essence."